Jennifer Walsh · June 18, 2026
One of the most common questions I get is some version of this: “My kid earns money doing things around the house — can I pay them for that and then contribute to a Roth IRA for them?” It’s a genuinely important question, because the Roth IRA is an extraordinary wealth-building vehicle for young people, … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · June 8, 2026
Account maintenance fees — Annual fees charged just for having the account open. These are the most important fees to eliminate, and all three major brokerages now charge $0. Trading commissions — Per-trade fees when buying or selling. Again, $0 at all major brokerages for stocks and ETFs. Fund expense ratios — The annual percentage … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · May 29, 2026
A parent called me last spring with a question I hear constantly: “My daughter just turned 22, has her first real job, and I want to help her start a Roth IRA. Where should she open it?” Choosing a Roth IRA for an adult child sounds simple, but the differences between brokerages — fees, minimums, … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · April 29, 2026
Over the past few years, I have watched the math on my own retirement accounts shift in a way that demands urgent attention. I know people in their mid-50s who did everything right—maxed their 401(k) every year, lived below their means, accumulated $1.4 million or more in tax-deferred accounts. On paper, they look like retirement … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · March 31, 2026
About three years ago, I was deep in my own Roth conversion analysis — sitting with $1.4 million in a traditional IRA and facing the same question a 58-year-old former hospital administrator might face — when I realized I needed to change my approach. I told myself to slow down on conversions. Not stop. Slow … Read more
Jennifer Walsh · March 21, 2026
A few years ago, I realized I’d been making a significant mistake with my own Roth IRA. I’d maxed out contributions for years, stayed disciplined about it, kept a diversified portfolio across my accounts — but when I actually looked at what I had inside that Roth IRA, I had to stop and reconsider my … Read more